Methods and associated apparatus for downhole data retrieval, monitoring and tool actuation

Abstract

A system of downhole communication and control is provided in methods and associated apparatus for data retrieval, monitoring and tool actuation. In a described embodiment, an item of equipment installed in a tubular string has a first communication device associated therewith. A tool conveyed into the tubular string has a second communication device therein. Communication is established between the first and second devices. Such communication may be utilized to control operation of the tool, retrieve status information regarding the item of equipment, supply power to the first device and/or identify the item of equipment to the tool.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A downhole plug system, comprising: 
       a plug assembly;  
       a first communication device;  
       a closure member selectively positionable in engaged and released positions relative to the plug assembly, the closure member blocking flow through the plug assembly in the engaged position, and flow through the plug assembly being permitted in the released position; and  
       a tool positionable relative to the first device and operable to cause displacement of the closure member between the engaged and released positions, the tool including a second communication device, and communication being established between the first and second devices.  
     
     
       2. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first device communicates data indicative of pressure applied to the closure member. 
     
     
       3. The plug system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first device is connected to a pressure sensor of the closure member. 
     
     
       4. The plug system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first device communicates data indicative of a pressure differential across the closure member. 
     
     
       5. The plug system according to  claim 2 , wherein data is communicated from the first to the second device, and wherein the tool transmits the data to a remote location. 
     
     
       6. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool is permitted to displace the closure member only when predetermined acceptable data is transmitted from at least one sensor via the first and second devices. 
     
     
       7. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool is permitted to displace the closure member to the released position only when a differential pressure across the closure member is within a predetermined range. 
     
     
       8. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the released position is an equalizing position configured for reducing a pressure differential across the closure member. 
     
     
       9. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool includes a first pressure sensor sensing pressure on a first side of the closure member, and the closure member includes a second pressure sensor sensing pressure on a second side of the closure member. 
     
     
       10. The plug system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first pressure sensor sensing pressure on a first side of the closure member, and a second pressure sensor sensing pressure on a second side of the closure member. 
     
     
       11. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool includes an engagement member which is permitted to engage the closure member only when the second device is in sufficiently close proximity to the first device. 
     
     
       12. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly is one of a plurality of structures interconnected in the tubular string, and wherein the plug assembly is selected from the plurality of structures for operation of the tool therewith in response to the communication between the first and second devices. 
     
     
       13. The plug system according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the structures has a communication device associated therewith, and wherein the tool is programmed to activate only the first device from a dormant state to an active state. 
     
     
       14. The plug system according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the structures has a communication device associated therewith, and wherein the first device is activated from a dormant state to an active state only in response to communication from the second device. 
     
     
       15. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein power for operation of the first device is supplied by the tool. 
     
     
       16. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein power for operation of the first device is supplied by a power source of the closure member. 
     
     
       17. The plug system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first device is connected to a sensor including a power source. 
     
     
       18. The plug system according to  claim 17 , wherein power for operation of the first device is supplied by the sensor power source. 
     
     
       19. A downhole communication method, comprising the steps of: 
       installing an item of equipment in a tubular string in a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a first communication device;  
       conveying a tool into the tubular string, the tool including a second communication device:  
       establishing communication between the first and second devices; and communicating data indicative of a status of the item of equipment from the first device to the second device, and  
       wherein in the communicating step, the item of equipment is a plug system, and the status is a pressure applied to a closure member of the plug system.  
     
     
       20. A downhole communication method, comprising the steps of: 
       installing an item of equipment in a tubular string in a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a first communication device;  
       conveying a tool into the tubular string, the tool including a second communication device;  
       establishing communication between the first and second devices; and  
       communicating data indicative of a status of the item of equipment from the first device to the second device,  
       in the communicating step, the item of equipment being a plug system, and the status being a pressure differential across a closure member of the plug system.  
     
     
       21. A downhole communication method, comprising the steps of: 
       installing an item of equipment in a tubular string in a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a first communication device;  
       conveying a tool into the tubular string, the tool including a second communication device;  
       establishing communication between the first and second devices; and  
       communicating data indicative of a status of the item of equipment from the first device to the second device, in the communicating step, the item of equipment being a plug system, and the status being a pressure differential across a plug assembly of the plug system.  
     
     
       22. A downhole communication method, comprising the steps of: 
       installing an item of equipment in a tubular string in a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a first communication device;  
       conveying a tool into the tubular string, the tool including a second communication device;  
       establishing communication between the first and second devices; and  
       communicating data indicative of a status of the item of equipment from the first device to the second device,  
       in the communicating step, the item of equipment being a plug system, and the status being a pressure differential across an equalizing member of the plug system.  
     
     
       23. A downhole communication method, comprising the steps of: 
       installing an item of equipment in a tubular string in a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a first communication device;  
       conveying a tool into the tubular string, the tool including a second communication device;  
       establishing communication between the first and second devices; and  
       controlling operation of the tool at least in part in response to data communication from the first device to the second device,  
       wherein the item of equipment is a plug system having an equalizing member, and  
       wherein the controlling step further comprises restricting the tool from displacing the equalizing member at least in part in response to data communicated from the first device to the second device.